Utility consults as it seeks to "reshape and replace" deal with single legal provider

Thames Water is to undertake a period of market consultation as it considers how to “replace and reshape” the managed legal services (MLS) agreement it has with Berwin Leighton Paisner.

The MLS agreement with the law firm is set to expire in March 2018.

A periodic indicative notice issued by the utility last week said the range of legal services delivered under the agreement was broad and included employment, commercial, construction, regulation, competition and property law matters.

There are a number of ‘out of scope’ legal services including advice relating to Thames Tideway Tunnel, price review work and financing related legal advice.

Thames Water said in the notice that it intends to commence the legal services procurement early in 2017.

Information on lots and packaging strategy are to be made available at a consultation event and confirmed in the call for competition.

A spokeswoman for Thames Water said: “We’ve begun a period of market engagement to explore what options will be available to us when our current contract with BLP ends in 2018. No decisions have been made on what any new structure will look like.”